SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara men's basketball started off the season with a victory as five players scored in double figures in a 77-69 win over Utah Tech. The Broncos led by as much as 19 in the second half and held off a late surge from the Trailblazers to start the season 1-0. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Santa Clara was in an early 7-0 hole to open the game but rattled off eight unanswered, punctuated by a fastbreak layup for Jalen Benjamin's first points as a Bronco, to grab the lead. The lead changed hands just once more before Carlos Marshall, Jr. nailed back-to-back treys to give the Broncos a comfortable 21-12 advantage that quickly grew to a 19-point lead with three minutes to play in the half. 
• Santa Clara led 41-19 at the halftime break behind 17 points from Marshall, Jr. 
• The Broncos maintained their double-digit advantage for much of the second half until a late 13-0 run from the Trailblazers cut the score to just six at 64-58 with 5:50 remaining. Santa Clara got three points back at the charity stripe, but Utah Tech answered with a trey from David Elliott to keep it a six-point spread. 
• Marshall Jr., who missed the majority of the second half, entered the game and provided the Broncos with the shot in the arm they needed to regain control, converting a tough layup that sparked a mini 5-0 run that was enough to thwart the Trailblazer comeback bid.  

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Marshall Jr. finished with a team-best 22 points (his best total as a Bronco and four points shy of his career high) on 9-of-12 shooting. 
• Newcomers Benjamin, Francisco Caffaro, Adama-Alpha Bal, Tyeree Bryan and Johnny O'Neil all made their Santa Clara debuts and made significant impacts. 
• Bal posted career highs in points (17) and rebounds (6) while dishing out three assists and coming away with a pair of steals. 
• Caffaro flirted with a double-double with a career-best 13 points and eight rebounds. The big man was an impressive 9-of-11 at the free throw line. 
• Bryan (11) and Benjamin (10) also scored in double figures. O'Neil was held scoreless but made a major impact in other areas with nine rebounds and three blocks.
• Santa Clara shot 48 percent (26-of-54) and out-rebounded Utah Tech 41-34. 
• The Trailblazers were held to 38 percent shooting (24-of-64). Elliott led the way offensively with a game-high 24 points.  

POSTGAME INTERVIEWS:
NEXT UP:
The Broncos return to action Saturday against Saint Francis at 4:00 p.m. PT.